Our third and final talk of the ‘Common Threads’ weekend addresses textile and fashion as art with designer Joshua Millard, curator of fashion illustration Connie Gray and embroiderer Jackie Puzey. Certainly clothing design has been recognised most notably by the V&A, London and the Metropolitan, New York who hold extensive collections and regular exhibitions. But what about those behind the scenes? The fabrics themselves are an integral part of the design and rely on teams of artists to create them.

Before photography, magazines relied on fashion illustration to convey the mood and style of a new collection to the public and fashion houses still use this stylised form of illustration for their initial concept boards. Curator Connie Gray has spent a lifetime fascinated with these drawings and repositions them as fine art within the context of her gallery Gray M.C.A.

Joshua Millard
Joshua Millard established his London-based womenswear brand in 2016. After graduating from London College of Fashion in Bespoke Tailoring, he gained experience at Jonathan Saunders and on Savile Row. He designs a transitional wardrobe of longevity, born from his clients desire to seek tailoring and outerwear that suggest something new, lasting beyond fast trends. “There is a complex idea of what masculinity and femininity are, similarly with country and citywear, I see no need to distinguish between either, I think we’re not defined by our location anymore”. The brand endeavours to source all shearling from Josh’s family farm in Dorset. In addition, £5 from every product is donated to Plantlife, a partnership which promotes endangered species of wildflower growth in arable habitats.

Connie Gray
Connie Gray Fashion Curator at Gray M.C.A. is recognised as the leading specialist on fashion illustration. Connie’s mission to shine a spotlight on the illustrators she has long admired led her to founding her namesake gallery with husband Ashley Gray.

Jacky Puzey
Jacky Puzey is an award-winning British designer and artist specialising in exquisitely embroidered interior screens and fabrics. Inspired by international textile cultures and urban imagery Jacky’s work begins with detailed drawings and meticulous research which she develops into some of the UK’s finest embroidered bespoke products.